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Thread ID: 91897 2008-07-22 01:42:00 Dont want vista on your new PC? Get a refund! utopian201 (6245) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
691042 2008-07-22 01:42:00 www.theinquirer.net

HAVE YOU BOUGHT A NEW computer lately? Chances are, if you have, you'll be forced into paying for Windows Vista as part of the package. We know... it sucks, but that's just the way things are, right? Apparently not.

One resourceful HP purchaser decided that he was as mad as hell and not going to take it any more, so he got on the phone to HP and asked for a refund.

According to the EULA which popped up as he was trying to install the beleaguered and much-maligned operating system, anyone not accepting the manifold terms and conditions, and who was not willing to tick a box to affirm this acceptance, should, "contact the manufacturer or installer to determine their return policy for a refund or credit".

Which is exactly what this rather tenacious user did.

After many days of phone calls, emails and the kind of delay-and-divert tactics from HP which would put a lesser man off of the hunt, our Hawaiian hero emerged victorious clutching a cheque for two hundred bucks. Which given that Vista retails for $240 is quite a result.

The fine fellow in question has given full details of how he got his money back in the L'Inq below, including the direct dial phone numbers and extensions of the people involved.

We're guessing that this is a loophole which Voles will be scuttling around trying quickly and permanently to close. Meantime, if you want your money back, you'd better hurry. µ 		utopian201 (6245)
691043 2008-07-22 02:02:00 Vista's not that bad.

I certainly wouldn't bother with all that hassle, there probably isn't even any drivers for XP on that machine.

Last time I tried to change a HP PC back to XP, there were no drivers. 		wratterus (105)
691044 2008-07-22 02:04:00 Youre probably right.

I would say if something has Vista on it, its on it for a reason. There's no drivers for XP 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
691045 2008-07-22 02:07:00 If the person didn't want Vista, then why buy it in the first place.

You can still get PC's / Laptops with XP. Most of the toaster places wont sell it, but any real Computer shop can. 		wainuitech (129)
691046 2008-07-22 02:14:00 The HP site had no XP drivers for my brother's HP notebook (which came with Vista), but its just a simple case of downloading the generic drivers (eg, not HP's Geforce drivers, but nVidia's) and adding your device to the .inf file. He did it for everything which he needed drivers for (I'm guessing manufacturer drivers are better and more up to date than HP's) and his XP notebook works fine... utopian201 (6245)
691047 2008-07-22 02:37:00 According to the EULA "contact the manufacturer or installer to determine their return policy for a refund or credit".
our Hawaiian hero emerged victorious clutching a cheque for two hundred bucks. µ

So whats that a refund of? Not the PC.
He should have taken it back and got a refund on the entire thing.
Or better yet bought a real PC with XP. 		pctek (84)
691048 2008-07-22 21:59:00 I think this sort of nonsense has been around since win98(or at least XP)
I remember the same thing from years back.

Can you imagine, any retailer forking over a $200 refund because you
didnt want the OS.


Many PC's & Laptops are supplied with a restore disk that gives the option of a 'downgrade' to XP. Some now come 'downgraded', ie a Vista COA but with XP loaded.
"Most of the toaster places wont sell it, but any real Computer shop can." 		sroby (11519)
691049 2008-07-22 22:13:00 Many PC's & Laptops are supplied with a restore disk that gives the option of a 'downgrade' to XP.
Vista Business will often have that, but not basic or premium. 		wainuitech (129)
691050 2008-07-22 22:42:00 Vista Business will often have that, but not basic or premium.

Toshiba and Asus FTW. :D 		wratterus (105)
691051 2008-07-23 01:13:00 Vista Business will often have that, but not basic or premium.

And Ultimate. 		pctek (84)
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